Saturday, July 21, 2007

"Flashbacks! The Musical" is the long-awaited sequel to Hot Flashes, the Musical, which performed to sold out audiences in Newport in both 2003 and 2004. Flashbacks! is another multimedia musical comedy by writers/producers Kate Finn and Rick Weiss.

Flashbacks! takes off where Hot Flashes ended, and has continued to wow sold-out audiences in Portland since its premier in 2006. The musical uses humor, reminiscence and a broad spectrum of musical styles to present lively women embracing the challenges of aging and celebrating the second half of their lives. Flashbacks! is definitely geared toward women in the afternoon of their youth and is a great excuse for a girls-night-out.

The cast and band features several members from the Hot Flashes cast, including Kate Finn on vocals and numerous instruments; bass-slingin, singin' grandma Marvella McPartland; and Loose Wimmin drummer Pam Krieg. In addition, the cast stars Loose Wimmin's R&B belter Kate Sullivan; pianist Rick Weiss; and newcomer Sharon Maroney, co-founder and artistic director of the Broadway Rose Theatre. The show is directed by Allen Nause of Artists Repertory Theatre, and choreographed by Dan Murphy of the Broadway Rose Theatre.

Rick Weiss wrote and performed with Summer Angels, Some Are Not! from 1988 to 1996, singing "bad lounge songs" backwards as Dick Lexia. Since then he has played keyboards for Jungle Jim and the Swingset and taught songwriting in the schools through Community of Writers. Rick currently teaches private piano and drum lessons.

Kate Finn also wrote and performed with the Fallen Angel Choir, and Summer Angels, Some Are Not! from 1986 to 1996. Since then she has performed with the all-ages dance band Jungle Jim and the Swing Set, conducted songwriting/cd-production workshops in local schools through Community of Writers, and worked as a licensed massage therapist. Rick Weiss and Kate Finn have both taught music in all styles to all ages for over 20 years.

The show follows the career of a five-woman band (The Hot Flashes) from their 40s to their 70s, as they sing about their lives in songs such as "I Want A Trophy Husband"; "In The Nude;" "It's a Dick Thing," "Love's The Bottom Line," and "Senior Moments."

Through outrageous humor, personal reflection, and a wide variety of musical styles (original and parody), Hot Flashes presents women embracing the challenges of aging and celebrating the second half of their lives with rollicking good humor. Even men will laugh out loud!